WYNN, GRIFFITH (1669? - 1736), cleric and translator

Born c. 1669, son of Griffith Wynn, Mallwyd - he was 20 years old when he matriculated, 2 July 1689, at Oxford, as from Oriel College (he graduated in 1693). He is remembered as the translator into Welsh of a work by Jeremy Taylor, Contemplations of the state of man in this life and in that which is to come, which was published at Chester by Roger Adams under the title of Ystyriaethau ar gyflwr dyn yn y bywyd hwn ac yn yr hwn sy i ddyfod . The work, which is undated, is assigned by William Rowlands (Gwilym Lleyn) - see Llyfryddiaeth y Cymry - to the year 1724. There were two other editions, but W. M. Myddelton suggests that the first edition appeared about ten years later. The translator calls himself ' Offeiriad Llangadwaladr,' but his correct designation was that of ' Curate-in-charge '; this is proved by the absence of his name from D. R. Thomas, Hist. of the Diocese of St. Asaph, and by reference to the translator and his work in note 2701 in W. M. Myddelton, Chirk Castle Accounts, 1666-1753 (Horncastle, 1931), where it is shown that the sum of 18s. 6d. was paid to ' Mr. Griffith Wynn, Clearke, in full of my late Master's subscription for 12 Welsh Books of his Translation.' This payment was made on 22 September 1733, 'my late Master's being Robert Myddelton, Chirk Castle, who died in 1733, '12 Welsh Books' means twelve copies of the one book. The work has an interesting list of subscribers, among these being ' Robert Middleton of Chirk Castle,' and ' Madam Middleton of Groes-Newydd.' This Madam (Mary) Middleton left, in a codicil to her will, an annuity of five pounds to Griffith Wynn, who, however, predeceased her. He died before 12 November 1736, on which day letters of administration were issued at St Asaph to his brother, Roger Wynne.

Author

• Sir William Llewelyn Davies, (1887 - 1952)

Sources

• To the references in the text add Foster, Alumni Oxonienses: the members of the University of Oxford
• St Asaph Visitation Books in N.L.W.

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20733100

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-RUU/1.0/